Laikipia governor hopeful lashes out at current regime over ‘oppressive’ by-laws
Laikipia gubernatorial candidate John Wakaba has criticized new county laws introduced by the current regime, terming them as oppressive.
Wakaba, who is seeking the seat on an independent ticket, has vowed to abolish the laws that, among others, require residents to pay a Ksh6,500 levy in order to bury their kin, if elected in August.
“One of the laws says if your cock crows at 3:00 am and awaken your neighbour from sleep, you will be fined Ksh50,000,” Wakaba told his supporters in Nyahururu on Saturday, June 25, 2022.
According to the politician, the new laws stipulate an alternative nine months jail sentence for any person whose poultry or livestock becomes a nuisance to their neighbours.
Residents seeking to dig pit latrines at their homes will also be required to part with Ksh3,500 in levy.
“If you build a gate to your homestead, you will pay Ksh2,500,” he said.
Laikipia by-laws
He claims the by-laws were to take effect in March, but the county leadership shelved the plans 'because it's an election year'.
He promised to repeal the laws in the first 100 days of his governorship, if elected in the polls slated for August 9, 2022.
“In 100 days I will make a motion to the County assembly to have these oppressive laws abolished,” Wakaba promised.
Wakaba, who was accompanied by his running mate Francis Muthui, also promised to put up three rehabilitation centres in the county to treat youths who have become victims of alcohol due to life frustrations.
“They became alcoholics because they went to school but can’t find jobs,” Wakaba said, adding that the rehabs will be located in Nyahururu, Nanyuki and Rumuruti.
The candidate also faulted the current leadership for doing little to invest in Early Childhood Development and Education Centres (ECDEs).
“I will raise the number from the current 400 centres to 1500 centres to make ECD education accessible to all children,” he said during his manifesto sensitization tour of the County.
He promised to have all the ECD teachers placed on permanent and pensionable employment to boost their morale.
Currently, the teachers take home a Ksh10,000 monthly salary that the teachers union has dismissed as 'worse payment than those paid to domestic workers.'
